Fukuoji Temple

overview

Chisan School of Shingon Sect, Mount Chokai, Fukuoji Temple.
Fukouji Temple was founded by Rigen Daishi, the founder of the Chokaisan Shugendo faith. The temple is said to have been founded in 712 (Wado 5), and is one of the most historic temples in the prefecture with a history of over 1,300 years. The temple played an important role as a leader of the Yashima Shugendo (mountain asceticism) organization, which consisted of 18 monasteries, and as an inn for those who visited the temple, reaching its height of prosperity in the mid to late Edo period. The Hokyointo (pagoda containing Hōkyōin sutras) built in 1771 (Meiwa 8) on the right side of the main hall is designated as a tangible cultural property by Yurihonjo City.